The power of creating a family health legacy
After I was diagnosed with diabetes back in 2019, I became concerned about my children’s risk of developing the disease. On two of my previous three pregnancies, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Having gestational diabetes is not only a risk factor for diabetes in women, but it is also a potential risk factor for your children.
In addition to family history and diabetes, there are other factors to consider, such as pre-existing health conditions and environmental factors. However, there is still a possibility for type 2 diabetes to be diagnosed in your children later on in life.
As parents and guardians, we must do our part to prevent type 2 diabetes in our children. As a family, we may need to start incorporating ways to get healthier together.
Some ideas include:
- Meal planning together
- Grocery trips as a family
- Family walks
- Family workout days
- Making family meetings, one-on-one times, etc., where everyone can talk and help solve problems, encourage healthy stress management.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers some additional ideas that might benefit you and your family: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevent-type-2/type-2-kids.html
Family health legacy is one of the most powerful tools we have to reduce our family’s risk of diabetes. Establish ways to become healthier as a family. We must act in the interests of our children and their future.
Until Next Time,
The Genetic Diabetic
